MELLOW YELLOW

What is the best 1st baby food, after rice cereal?

A) serious vegetables
B) fruit
C) yellow vegetables

1st off, I have read that more and more the 1st food doesn't have to be rice cereal. Some pediatricians are steering away from rice cereal as a first, because it is calorie dense with little nutritional benefit. However, it is still pretty safe as far as allergies go, it is easily digested, and it doesn't have a strong flavor that baby might reject. It basically tastes like the breast milk or formula you use to thin it to the right consistency. It is also Iron fortified, a big deal for breast fed babies who need the extra source of iron (Formula fed babies get it through their formula.)


A) serious vegetables
Some suggest serving vegetables first not only for nutritional reasons, but also to better acclimate baby's tastes buds. If you serve sweet fruits first, the child might reject anything that doesn't satisfy her sweet tooth.

B) Fruit
However, you want baby's first experiences with food to be good. You want them to want to eat. You are setting up patterns for life, not just babyhood. And sweet fruit will get the ball rolling.

C) Yellow vegetables
This is the winner to me. Highly nutritious, sweet enough to pass the baby palate taste test (usually) but not so sweet as to sabotage all future veggie explorations. Remember: The "Yellow" vegetables can be orange too. (Sweet potato, squash-all kinds, carrots, pumpkin...)

I made the mistake, with Joey, of trying her on Peas first. Have you ever seen Exorcist?

Well, I didn't make the same mistake twice. With Sam, I started with Sweet Potato. She loved it. Actually, she's loved everything so far! Zucchini, Carrots, Squash... I went ahead and took the next stop and offered her full on vegetables, green beans, and she just loves eating!